Dragon boat racing has its roots in ancient myths and legends. Multiple legends are tied to its truly ancient roots before the unification of China, including being a fertility rite during the Summer Solstice to ensure plentiful crops, mock battles to awaken the hibernating Heavenly Dragon, prayers to avert illnesses caused by poisonous creatures such as frogs, scorpions, and snakes as villagers went into the fields to harvest crops, and worship of the water dragons as representative of the Jade Emperor.

However, the best known story revolves around the time of the unification of China, about 2,000 years ago. During the Warring States period in China, politics and society was characterized by treachery and shifting alliances. A powerful court official and legendary poet named Qu Yuan – much loved by the people – was banished from court by the King of Chu. However, in 278 BCE, the Kingdom fell to the Qin army. When word reached Qu Yuan, he leapt into the Miluo River while clutching a heavy rock in despair for the Kingdom he loved.

The local villagers raced out in their boats and tried in vain to save Qu Yuan, beating drums and splashing the water with their paddles to keep the fish and water dragons from his body. They also threw rice wrapped in silk to attract fish elsewhere. While they failed to save him, the traditions carried forward into Chinese tradition over the centuries.

This tradition became wrapped with older traditions, and became an opportunity for villages to come together at the opening of the summer harvest season to share their local culture with other villages, showcase their athletic prowess, and to feast together. The silk-wrapped rice became eventually wrapped in bamboo leaves.

These traditions still inspire the Festival. Brightly coloured boats with beating drums traverse the water during the Duan Wu Jie (Double Fifth Festival, meaning the 5th day of the 5th lunar month), or commonly in Western communities, the Dragon Boat Festival. People continue to make and eat 粽子, or zhongzi (bamboo wrapped rice dumplings) during the Festival to commemorate these ancient stories.

From mainland China, the sport spread into periphery regions. In Hong Kong, dragon boat became a strong local tradition celebrated by the fishermen in the area and Taoist temples in a more traditional manner. However, with British influences, dragon boat developed more of a community sport characteristic, while still maintaining links to traditional culture. With the popularity of the sport, Hong Kong saw an opportunity to help promote dragon boat and share it with the world.

In the 1980s and 1990s, trans-Pacific immigration brought new ideas and stories to Vancouver. However, this migration also heightened tensions that run centuries deep in the area. To tackle this issue, the local Chinese community worked together to bring 6 teak dragon boats to Vancouver (courtesy of a gift from the Hong Kong government) to run exhibition races during Expo 86, taking advantage of Expo’s transportation theme.

Dragon boat racing’s Canadian debut at Expo was an overwhelming success, with races on June 14-15 sparking a movement over 30 years in the making now. The popularity of the races in 1986 led to community races in 1987 and 1988. In 1989, the Society was formed to formally continue and promote the Festival. The Society maintains guardianship of the original teak dragon boats that launched this cultural sport in Canada.

From its roots in False Creek, the sport grew rapidly across Canada and has now become the world’s fastest growing sport. Canada has also established itself globally as a dragon boat powerhouse, with teams regularly medalling at international races.

Most races are held in 22 person boats (20 paddlers, 1 drummer, and 1 steersperson), with a smaller boat also used in some races (12 people: 10 paddlers, 1 drummer, and 1 steersperson). The sport is a global phenomenon, with major concentrations of paddlers and events across the world. Notable races include the Hong Kong races and Vancouver.

The sport ranges from a recreational activity for new paddlers of any age, to high performance sport where milliseconds determine medal positions. The continent’s largest race is the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, usually held each year in late June on False Creek.

Come down to our events and races to learn how to paddle, or to watch world-class racing!